Pipe-gripping device



\ F. C. OSTHEIMER ET AL.

June 16, 1925.

PIPE GRIPPING DEVICE Filed June 2. 1924 gwwntony I C. Gaffiezimsw .5. E1290 (fa/00 7 Patented June 16, 1925.

A, UNITEDSTATES FRANK CHARLES osrnnmna AND LIGE FROMAN nonnnson, or VIRGIL, KANSAS. 4

PIPE-GRIPPING DEVICE.

' Application filed. June 2, 1924. Serial No. 717,365.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK C. 0s!- HEIMER and Lion F. RoBEnsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Virgil, in the county of Greenwood and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Pipe-Gripping Device, of which the following is a specification. I

-This invention relates toan improved pipe gripping device of the type used for connecting and disconnecting oil Well pipes.

nAt the present time, there is a pipe gripping device of similar nature in use. That device comprises a comparatively heavy 3 metal casting which is in the main arcuate in shape to conform to one side of the pipe against which it is adapted to bear. That surface of the body which engages the pipe is provided with a series of transverse teeth I or firmly gripping the pipe. At one end of the body there is an attaching eye for one .end of a pipeencircling rope or its equivalent, while at the other end is laterally turned foot around which the free end of the rope is passed and drawn upon to tighten it around the pipe to obtain the desired grip.

Continued personal use of devices of the above named character had conclusively shown that they are defective in :that the teeth become worn and ineffective in a comparatively short period of time, thus: hindering an effective grip. Furthermore, since much friction exists between'the so called foot and the rope when the free end of the latter is drawn upon, the action of the known tool is not'rapid. i

In view of the foregoing circumstances, we have evolved and produced a novel tool of the type herein described, and have embodied features in the new tool which entirely overcomes the difficulties experienced.

The prime featureof the present invention is the provision of readily replaceable pipe gripping teeth which are so arranged as to obtain a firm grip on the ipe and are so held in place that they can be readily removed and replaced.

Another and a very important feature of the invention is the anti-friction means which is carried by one end of the tool and with which the looped end of the pipe encircling rope is engaged during the tightening operation. This anti-friction device ins sures free slippage of the rope and facilitates extreme tightening of the rope about lowing description and drawings.

'In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 discloses a side elevation of the improved tool, with a portion thereof broken away to disclosethe specific construction of the anti-friction device more clearly.

Figure 2 discloses a front edge elevation of the device.

Figure 3 discloses a detail perspective view of one of the replaceable pipe gripping teeth.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally a one piece metallic body, the intermediate portion of which is somewhat arcuate in shape to conform more or less to the contour of that portion of the pipe with which it is associated. On one end, the body is formed with an integral rope anchoring eye 2, this eye being directed laterally outward with respect to the pipe P. On the opposite end of the body is a lateral extension 3 forming a guard. At the inner end of this extension and in one edge, the body is formed with a recess to accommodate an anti-friction roller 4, the reduced slippage of the device surrounding the pipe during the coupling and uncoupling of the pipe sections, we provide pipe gripping teeth 8. Instead of being integral, these teeth are readily removable, the same beingpreferably in the form of elongated blocks, as shown more clearly in Figure 3. The front edge of the body is provided with confining pockets 9 open at one end and closed at the other end; The blocks are inserted As is usual, one end 6 of into these pockets through the open end and forced ht y a a n he @lesed wa w the opposite ends, being held in place-by set screws 10, the heads of which are engaged therewith in the manner shown. Attention is here directed to the fact that the-teethor blocks 8 are disposed at the appron imate.

angles indicated so that only a single edge of each block is effective. It is obvious that with this arrangement an extremely tight grip is, had. and furthermore, .the.blocks can be removed and reversed or turned to utilize the ,other edges thereof,

In practice, the body 1 is placed against one side ofione of the pipe sections inthe approximate position indicated, the outer corners ofthe gripping blocks'then being engaged with the surface of. the free end portion of the pipe. The pipe encircling rope is carried about the pipe in the usual manner .and the free end thereof is .brought beneath the guard. 3 and looped around the roller 4, the free end being carried. in a direction away from the. pipe, as shown. lVith the rope in this position it is apparent that .a pull exerted upon the free end thereofwill serve. to .tighten the rope around the pipe and at the same time bind the teeth 8 tightly against the-pipe. Thus, a firm grip on the pipewi-ll be had, and the pipe sections can be either screwed-together or unscrewed.

Some of the main features of the invention have heretofore been set forth in comparison of the new device with the old. It may be added however, that whereas the old device now in use can be used to screw a pipe only one way without reversing the tool, the new device will grip the pipe regardless of the direction of irotation; without requiring removal of the tool. The grip obtained by the angularly disposed, blocks is effective even when thesurface of the pipe is covered with slimy oil and mud. This is not true with the tool now in use. Whereas it is usually customary to have several different sizes of tools 'of the old type, it is necessary to use but a single tool of the new type. The new invention is also advantageous for other reasons which need not be discussed in detail herein.

It is thought that the foregoing descripti'on When taken in connection with the drawings will enable the reader to fully comprehend the invention. It is therefore thought unnecessary to add a more lengthy description.

Although we have shown and described a specific structure, it is to be understood thatminor changes coming within the scope of theadj'oined claim may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what .we claim is A pipe gripping device comprising a body having an anchoringeye formed at one end, having a lateral projection formed at its opposite end constituting a rope guard, and having its intermediate portionv of 'arcuate formation, the'intermediatc portion of the body being, formed in its inner edge with polygonal sockets, which are closed atone end and open at the other end, substantially rectangular pipe cont-act blocks fitted into said sockets, retainingscrews carried-by the body'and engaging the outer ends of the 'blocksto; retain the latter in position, and an anti-friction roller rotatably mounted upon the outer edge of the body beneath said guard, and a pipe encircling rope anchored at one end to-said eye, the intermediate portions f of said rope adapted to be passed around the pipeland the free end portion thereof being adapted to be looped beneath the guard,'to permit the bight portion of the. loop to ride against said roller, whereby whenthe freeend. of the rope. is pulled upon, the rope will be tightened about the pipe.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

FRANK CHARLES OSTHEIMER. LIGE FROMAN ROBERSON, 

